First of all a remark about my approach to
Mendut and the Candi's in general. Rather than focussing on a detail I try to grasp the
interdependence of all phenomena involved. Secondly I do not try to explain them against
the background of "official" dogma's, stories and philosophies, but put them in
context of their origination e.g. roots. By doing so the result is often so surprising
e.g.different that one wonders that it is the selfsame object

Maybe my holistic medical insights are
involved here. Very early in my studies I discovered that "migraine",
"astma", "rheuma" etc. were mere concepts e.g. descriptions of
complexes of symptoms. It didn't give you an insights into their dynamics and causes

Originally,
Candi Mendut was part of one huge Borobudur temple-complex. So, what is found there says
something about the original meaning of the whole site. Although Sakyamuni occupies the
central hall, the whole atmosphere breathes a feminine Presence. M. Long called it the
"Womb of the Tathagatha", however, without taking the consequences

NATURE & HUMANS

After having circled the temple many times
it dawned to me that it symbolized life from bottom-up. The lowest layer represents the
earth. It is inhabited with plants, animals and humans. The latter very much portrayed as
living in harmony with naure. It is I think a very unque Javanese approach, neither
derived from Hinduism nor Buddhism. Surprisingly, it shows great similarity with the Green
Men of Europe (LINK Chartres Cathedral)

Typically these men kneel instead of taking
e.g. the lotus position. They express veneration for nature, rather than superiority.
Their hands touching leaves and branches. They are the archetype of "natural
man". Because they are carved on the bottom layer they represent archaic times e.g.
the times before the "great religions" made their entry

CANDI MENDUTThe four-dimensional templebottom-up

KALATHE NEW GOD
THE GODS
NATURE & HUMANS

THE GODS

The Gods do
not exist on their own, though.....First of all, the principal figure of the SW facade is
the Goddess Kunda. She sits upon a lotus supported by two nagas, with two Bodhisattvas as
Her attendants. Cunda isn't just a Goddess. She is the "Yoni of the Universe",
the Oriental Great Mother. She is also called "Mother of the
Buddha"......"Kunda's are the Mother's natural children, those who have no
connection to a father....It couldn't be more revealing. "Children of the
mother" refers to matriarchal times, where the lineage was through the mother, only.

The two
Bodhisattva's are Her sons. This is emphasized by a second Kunda, sitting under a tree
(Tree of Life, symbol of the Great Mother) on a throne with lotus and eight arms. Next to
Her a......Maitreya, surmounted by a stupa.....also holding a lotus. In another corner the
Goddess Hariti from Ghandara (Indus Valley) is portrayed....She is the predecessor
to.....Maitreya. That's why Maitreya is often portrayed as a feminine figure with several
children on his lap, shoulders.....just like Hariti. A clear indication, that the creators
wanted to emphasize the feminine aspect of the Bodhisattva Maitreya and his link - via the
Indus Valley - to the Mesopotamian pantheon......*

* Summarizing: Candi Mendut
thus having a direct link with the Great Mother of Sumeria....